Sunflower Fields Forever

Driving through Tuscany has been such an amazing experience...I wouldn't want to see it any other way!

We started off in Firenze, which was exactly the way I remembered it - terracotta roofs and dusty dry heat. I love that city. Our hotel was steps from the Duomo, and we felt like we were in a Jason Bourne movie trying to drive through the crazy Firenze streets. One evening, we walked to Piazza Michelangelo to catch the sunset. We were pleasantly surprised to find that a street busker had set up shop at the base of the piazza, singing folksy Damien Rice type songs (only my FAVORITE artist!). Piazza Michelangelo also has the best gelato place in all of Italy in my opinion - theres a little shop just to the left of the Piazza that everyone visiting Florence must try!


Another place of gastronomical euphoria - La Giostra.  We were guided to this place by some friends, and it was likely the best restaurant I have been to in all of Italy, with the most amazing service.  It has a Sotto Sotto feel, with pictures of celebrities from all over the world posing with the owner, who looks like he escaped off of a ship from Pirates of the Carribean.  Even Sharukh Khan has dined there! If you do go to this place, make reservations at least 3 days in advance as they having limited seatings. We spent the rest of our time in Firenze eating at a little restaurant called Donninis in Piazza della Repubblica - great staff and great wine!

Our next stop in Tuscany was driving through the province of Sienna to see the city of Sienna and San Gimignano.  Sienna is known for the Palio, which is a horse race that is held twice a year.  We weren't there during the race, but still enjoyed the town.  No cars are allowed in the main portion of Sienna, so we parked somewhere randomly and set off on foot in that little maze of a town.  Thankfully we entered our car's location into GPS which helped us find our car once we were ready to leave Sienna!   

The real gem of Tuscany though was San Gimignano.  We climbed up to the top of the main tower to take in the views of the rolling chianti hills...it was incredible.   The province of Sienna looks literally how it sounds; a palette of burnt sienna combined with lush green rolling hills with a rich undertone of sangiovese grapes...well at least thats what I picture in my mind's eye.  ;)

Everywhere you go in Italy you are inundated with the yumminess of gelato stores in every nook and cranny. So naturally, I have to try the gelato in every single town that I stop in! I learned a pretty neat little trick to finding the best gelato shop from one of my guide books! So here it is: take a look at the pistachio flavour. If it is a bright green, its probably not a very good gelato place. It should be a murky dusky light green... a pistachio green if you will ;) Hope that helps my fellow gelato lovers!

The best part about road tripping around Italy is the random things we see along the way.  Driving back to Firenze, we passed an amazing field of sunflowers! I thought this stuff only existed in my dreams - sunflowers are my favorite flower! We pulled over at a nearby gas station and trekked through the field - what a precious moment that will be engrained in my memories forever!  Starting the 600 km journey to the Amalfi Coast tomorrow - Ciao Tuscany!